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    Sam's Kitchen

    4.0 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    Order Sam's Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Sam's Kitchen Photos

    SAM'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sam's Kitchen

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    Reviews With Photos

    Spicy garlic teriyaki chicken plate with salad, mac salad and rice
    Danielle R.

    This is a little hidden and off the beaten path but man was it worth it. I was craving a Hawaiian bbq lunch and they delivered the goods. Not shown are the garlic fries that I devoured on my walk back to my resort. The mac salad is a potato mac, my favorite. Bright fresh and big portions. I was full the rest of the day! They also offer a order ahead and pick up option.

    Garlic steak plate with add on garlic shrimp
    Kira K.

    I've been told this place is really good and I was so excited to try it! I ordered the garlic steak plate with add on garlic shrimp, and a guava iced tea (not pictured) Price was about $35-$40. But I was excited so I thought it would be worth the price STEAK: the best thing about the steak was it was very tender! The garlic was good for a few bites but some of the pieces were so salty it literally burned my throat SHRIMP: nothing to write about this.. just salty, and no where near as good as Giovanni's Weirdly, the best part of the meal was the guava iced tea lol Idk if I came on an off night, but it was super disappointing :( I might give it a try once more though to see if my bad experience was a fluke

    Outdoor seating
    Tina N.

    We really enjoyed our lunch here. The seating area was so relaxing and quiet. Food was great and service was kind and attentive. I would absolutely return.

    April S.

    Dave is the Bartender/Manager here. Excellent service! Super friendly quick on the pour, and eager to please! They just started opening up for lunch time about a month ago - something they haven't done before, and people have been attending! Sheva (Seven) - was my bartender today - very friendly super engaging and always quick to entertain with fun trivia facts! Beer prices are fairly priced, see the pics I posted to see everything. No price gauging on wine AT ALL!! (Other places charge $15 for a chardonnay, and vary the prices of the wine depending on the type; now granted if they going higher end and longer age in a barrel I can understand - but for a bottle cali wine you can get @ Target for the same brand at $15 - ya know there are some mark ups!) Anyhoooo.... Let's talk the food: belly so happy taking leftovers home! Alright so Step 1: Choice of protein: fish, beef, chicken, tofu, vegetables. I asked for half chicken & half vegetable combo (they were EXTREMELY accomodating on that request)!!!!! Step 2: Pick yer sauce! They have 5 main sauces, pic enclosed. I went with the Spicy Teri Garlic! (trust me foodies it fiiiiiire! Step 3/Final Step: Choose da sides (again on the menu pic) I went for the combo - salad, rice, and potato/mac salad! Now for specialty drinks: Their Bloody Harry (a unique Bloody Mary) is completely worth it! Uses a unique homemade infused vodka that hands down you will NOT find anywhere else on island! Glass is rimmed with salt AND peppercorns, again another unique feature to this beverage! There is also a new beverage called Wonka Lada, which looks very much like something you'd see out of Willy Wonka's factory and/or if you really geeking out making comparisons to Monster's Inc! And others have compared it to something out of Warcraft, I can't say anyone is wrong! Smoothy style especially for those needing a nice cold fix! Li ing mui on the rim. Gives all the piña colada vibes with a strong hit of ube! This is one of those that hits you afterward!!!! Great vibe there are tables all around and even a small hot tub/pool area to give more to the atmosphere look! So don't complain if plastic cups are used because hotel has a no glass policy around the pool. This establishment has been here since last November. And don't think yer gonna get bored sitting here! Bar top is really solid hard wood!! There are all sorts of decor that each time you come here it almost a game of find this item! Tribal masks from Africa, Traditional tiki faces, bonsai trees, Hula instruments, saddles, tapa style roofing, beware the lobsters running amuck! Hmmm maybe a promotion needs to be done where what item is new hiding amongst all the decor for a special prize or something? And yes for you folks who are die hard sports fans - there are 2 televisions - everything comes from streaming services - so treat them nicely with yer tips and maybe they can get more power to more of what u wanna see! (hint hint hint) Overall this place is a huuuge 100/10! So bring tyler gang here! Oh in case u asked the bar is inside the Bamboo resort (fun fact this building been here for 100 years!)! And don't worry super close to the bus lines so for those who need an extra lift yer covered! (unless you ubered or lyfted or drove, rode yer own bike/scooter/skateboard or did yer own two feet here! Yes your mouths and eyes are watering to get over here! So easy way to know yer in the right spot is to see the vintage Yellow Woody sitting out front! Just please don't climb in it for photo ops - that would really make everyone sad. Yes Yelpers I "will be back"! Enjoy and help support these local folks running the place!

    spicy garlic shrimp plate
    Kaje Y.

    Sam's is tucked away in the back, but has enough decor near the street to find it. The first time I went, was a bit off hours afternoon time frame. I walked to the back and there was no one there, I was unsure of what to do, so I went to the bar and asked if it was Sam's. Sure enough the bartender gave me a menu and I ordered to go. Note that the menu is a little confusing. You need to order things as a plate to get the rice, salad, and potato/mac salad, or else I guess its considered a la carte? I enjoyed it so much that I went twice and seriously considered going a third time in the span of a few days. They are also open late! They do have plenty of seating there but I opted to eat back at my hotel. Online ordering is not available for this location, despite what te menu says. On the first visit, the potato salad was such a sad small scoop, the second time I went, I asked for an additional a la carte side of it for 2.50 and the scoop I got with the plate was also much bigger this time. (See pictures) Overall, really enjoyed the food and would definitely return.

    Menu - February 2026
    Cheryl G.

    Quaint place and if you blink, you'd miss it. It's a bar situated at the hotel pool. It's a very divey feel but the bartender was super cool while we made a pit stop for drinks and a shrimp plate. I'd come here again.

    Steak with original garlic sauce and shrimp
    Yvette L.

    I saw all the great reviews and took my son for lunch. The steak was very chewy and no good. The shrimp had good flavoring, but it was oily and soggy. We had to throw it away after a couple of bites. Luckily this was a food hall and we found him good ramen at Baikohken.

    Rei K.

    I came here for garlic shrimp after finding this place on someone's blog. The entrance was quite hard to find--at first, I thought it was just a food truck. When they asked if I was dining in or taking out and I said dining in, they guided us inside to a stylish open-terrace space surrounding a pool. While we were there, we found out from the staff that a famous Japanese idol group had actually filmed a music video here. Apparently, fans used to visit for that reason, but when we came, although there were other customers, nobody seemed to be there specifically for that spot. There were two of us, and since it was around 5 PM and not crowded, we were seated at the big table used in that MV. As for the garlic shrimp--I ordered the spicy version because I love spicy food, but that was a huge mistake. It was so incredibly hot that my mouth was burning, and I couldn't really taste the actual garlic shrimp flavor. I tried my friend's regular one, and it was truly delicious--actually better than at other places I've tried. I definitely recommend going with the regular! I'm not sure about the takeout prices, but dining in with drinks came to about $26 per person. Service depends on the staff, but overall, the atmosphere was great and we left very satisfied.

    Peter L.

    Finally tried the new location at Bamboo Hotel. Sad to say the orig flavors of my beloved Sam's Kitchen is now gone. The garlic shrimp was drowned with too much butter, the previous version was more dry with better seasoning & popped in the mouth. The garlic steak was good but again no longer the same. The potato salad was descent, but the previous legendary version is also no more. New location is at the back of Bamboo Hotel next to the pool, ambiance was nice. But i miss the orig Sam's Kitchen at the alley

    Mai Tai
    Suzie V.

    A must stop when coming to Hawaii! The bartender makes a great Mai Tai and the spicy shrimp is my favorite. There's a little bit of a wait but that's to be expected with good food. Such a hidden gem! Definitely in my top 3 of food spots in Waikiki.

    Menu
    Winnie C.

    The restaurant is located in the Bamboo Hotel in the center of Waikiki Beach area. We stopped by for a quick bite. They have a small menu with limited options. We ordered ahi with French fries and steak with side of rice, salad and potato salad. The food came in tiny portion and the price was insanely high. For $50/2 ppl, we were half full. The dishes were also very salty and barely edible. Asked steak to be medium well and came out medium rare... The waitress we had had a attitude and kinda intimidating. Although the staffs here who served us last night were nice.

    Tiffany L.

    This restaurant is tucked behind the back of a hotel adjacent to the hotel's pool area. Its pretty casual outdoor seating that can be good for large parties with what looked like a full bar. I came here with a group of girls and we were able to seat at a large wooden table. I personally didn't feel like there were too many things to order so we all got different variations of the garlic shrimp plate. Originally I had wanted to do an A la carte order of the shrimp (4pcs) but the waiter said it could only be added on.. boo. I opted for the spicy garlic shrimp plate and I was quite underwhelmed. The shrimp is peeled except for the tail and it seemed breaded then fried which definitely felt too heavy. On top of it all, they were also kinda small. I was also a little upset that on the menu it said mac/potato salad but then I wasn't given a choice and was given a potato salad instead of macaroni. Next I thought the shrimp was just ok, but the cherry on top was that the rice was kind of dry. They have good happy hour prices, but the foods just okay. Especially the garlic shrimp is nothing to for them to brag about. But also not terrible.

    Before
    Sally K.

    I've eaten at Sam's Kitchen every time I visit Honolulu, and it has always been amazing until this visit. I came with my parents and was excited to see that the restaurant had moved to a better location. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. We were seated at 7pm, but our food didn't come out until 8. I had to walk up to a server (because no one came to check up after we ordered) to ask if our order had been placed, I was given a vague response with no explanation, which came off as dismissive. When the food finally arrived, the shrimp tasted great as always. But the beef was extremely chewy to the point where none of us could even bite into it. All three of us ended up leaving it untouched, which was very disappointing since I've ordered the beef couple times before. We still paid in full since we ate some of the rice, but between the long wait time and the inedible beef, I don't see myself returning on my next visit since there are many other shrimp trucks out there.

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    Page 2 of 37

    Sam's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sam's Kitchen

    Is this place truly open till 1am everday? I am getting back home late next week (11pm) and want to confirm I can grab something here!

    Sam's Kitchen is a great place to grab delicious garlic shrimp. Walking distance from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The hours of operations change based on local GOV restrictions but they do update the website and Yelp information often. However during… 

    How is the parking situation around the area? Can someone please recommend where to park? Also, is it walkable from the Hyatt Regency? Thanks so much!

    Parking definitely isn't great as it's located in the touristy area, highly recommend Uber and the bus as we didn't see any parking nearby here

    View All 4 Questions

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    Helena's Hawaiian Food

    Helena's Hawaiian Food

    4.4
    (4.5k reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    Food outstanding Service efficient and personable…read moreespecially with the long lines at lunch. Ambiance appropriate for the venue.

    @fortunefoodfinds: "This deserves a ROUND of applause! Whether you're visiting or simply wanting…read morelocal grindz, HELENA'S HAWAIIAN FOOD is sure to make your trip and/or meal feel complete. Ordered our must-haves: Short Ribs Pipikaula Style, Fried Butterfish Collar, Luau Squid, Long Rice Chicken, Lomi Salmon, Lau Lau, Poi, Mac Salad, Rice, n' their complimentary Haupia, Onions, n' Salt. Food so Ono I highly recommend, this very well-known local Hawaiian eatery again n' again!" SERVICE: fast n' fully staffed INTERIOR: spacious with limited seating EXTERIOR: gets hot, have water n' benches available WAIT TIME: came on a Thursday afternoon n' surprisingly wasn't too busy. After joining the waitlist that you sign in through the provided iPad, I would say 30 mins before getting seated. PARKING: very small free lot in front, limited spaces OVERALL COMMENTS: haven't had Helena's in a while so I've been craving it. Each visit is satisfying n' the food is always so good. I can't remember the amount of pieces they used to give for a large order of Short Ribs Pipikaula Style, it seemed smaller this time, but either way you gotta order it along with the Fried Butterfish Collar. Their Luau Squid is so creamy n' delicious just like everything else, all Ono. You can't go wrong bc this is truly local Hawaiian food at its finest!

    Photos
    New larger inside dining area
    New larger inside dining area
    Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs
    Menu B: Kalua Pig And Pipikaula Short Ribs
    Inside

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    Inside
    Highway Inn Kaka'ako

    Highway Inn Kaka'ako

    4.1
    (2k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    So much aloha in this place. The hostess was friendly and cleared a table as our friends waited for…read moreus to arrive. Our server was informative and helpful. The restaurant is quite busy during weekday lunch, but the tables cleared pretty quickly. Two of us shared the sampler ($33.99 for pork lau lau, compared to $31.99 for chicken lau lau), although our server said that some individuals order it for themselves. The sampler came with lomi lomi salmon, squid lu'au, chicken long rice, poi, lau lau (pork or chicken), sweet potato and poi. It was filling for the two of us. We thought we might add something else à la cart, but we didn't need anything more. So good. We were surprised by the sweetness of the coconut milk in the squid lu'au. Everything was yummy! We were happy to have had such tasty Hawaiian food. Yay! There's a smaller paid parking lot in front of the restaurant. It was full, so we went to the parking structure behind. The restaurant validated for 90 minutes. Remember to scan the QR code in the parking lot after you park and to ask the hostess at the restaurant to validate online before you leave the restaurant.

    Whenever I am back on the island, I try to visit the Kaka'ako or Waipahu location. Came here on a…read moreFriday night and got a table for four relatively quickly. The service was quick and it wasn't too busy for a Friday night. Got the highway inn combo plate with squid luau (not as much squid as usual), plantation mixed plates, chicken long rice, and kalua pig. 10/10 food. They also have the QR code to validate parking.

    Photos
    Highway Inn Kaka'ako
    KALUA PIG NACHOS,FRIED RICE & SOUR CREAM
    KALUA PIG NACHOS,FRIED RICE & SOUR CREAM
    Fried Rice

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    Fried Rice
    Rainbow Drive-In

    Rainbow Drive-In

    3.8
    (6.1k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    62 years in business

    Son wanted to go here. He saw it on TikTok. I got the. BBq pork meal. The pork was great. A…read moregazillion pounds of rice. I only at about 1/4 of it. The macaroni salad was macaroni with what seemed like just mayo. (Not my jam). He had the loco moco. He loved it. Again a billion pounds of rice. Kid had a hot dog. Didn't finish it. Quality was really low. Maybe we are used to dodger dog snap style flavorful ones. Anyway was a nice little meal and took a walk at the park a couple blocks away to walk off the massive amounts of rice.

    My family, across multiple generations, has been going here for decades, close to back when they…read morefirst opened. We have homes in the neighborhood. And we just can't go here anymore unless changes are made! We used to prefer them over Zippy's, but now they are less than 7-Eleven quality, while charging higher-end prices for the neighborhood. We have given them many chances, hoping it was just a fluke, but we have repeatedly been disappointed. Their chicken has become chewy and fatty, their rice is mediocre, and condiments such as mayonnaise are stripped down to the bare minimum quantity. Chile is poured so lightly that it is practically a minuscule amount. And their prices have continued to rise. I don't know if greedy people took over the restaurant who just don't care anymore, or what is going on. I remember when I used to take people here, and they would be impressed with the quality and quantity--plates just heaping with good cuts of meat, noodles, and rice. Those days are no more. As they say in Japan, the price performance is poor. Furthermore, their staff is rude. I can only imagine it was an owner working this day because it was a face I haven't seen that often. An older gentleman who appeared to be of Okinawan descent, working the cashier register, accosted us because I was privately discussing with my family about splitting different items with them. We were all ordering something, so he wasn't losing any money, but he told us about how prices are double in Waikīkī. First of all, it is rude to interrupt your customers that way. Secondly, we don't go to Waikīkī or care about Waikīkī. What happened to serving the locals? Third, Waikīkī has an assortment of restaurants, prices, and qualities, and they shouldn't be how you base your services. Lastly, I guarantee I could find a better deal in Waikīkī if I wanted to. Next time you're in the area, just go get a $6 bento or a $5 burrito from 7-Eleven next door. I assure you, the price performance and experience will be better. If Rainbow Drive-In is in the business of comparing themselves to other things, let's compare them to 7-Eleven and at least try to be better than them, right? I can get mochiko chicken from 7-Eleven for $6.99 that is similar in portion size and better quality. Meanwhile, they are serving their fatty, dry chicken for $16.75. Highway robbery! And they are not fancy, with their dirty picnic tables and plastic cutlery. They are just a step above a food truck, if that. Save yourself from the hype. They have gone downhill like a landslide. Go elsewhere.

    Photos
    Rainbows mixed plate
    Rainbows mixed plate
    Loco Moco Plate
    Loco Moco Plate
    Turns out I was wearing my GRAVY ALL OVER shirt so I had to get a pic with my loco moco!

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    Turns out I was wearing my GRAVY ALL OVER shirt so I had to get a pic with my loco moco!
    Side Street Inn

    Side Street Inn

    4.1
    (2.5k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    OMG! This was a dining experience! So, the restaurant was closing so my friend said we should eat…read morethere! I didn't know that the servings were group sized!! I found so many things that looked great on the menu, to include fried gizzards, boneless Kal Bi ribs, fully loaded fried rice, Mac salad and other stuff I can't recall! So the TWO of us ordered way too much! We tried to eat as much as we could and ended up taking the rest home! Everything we ordered was delicious, so we knew we were going to eat good leftovers! The restaurant was a great place to go with a group to eat and watch sports! Our Waitress (I have to remember to get names) was a track star, she was running to and from several tables of groups to deliver food! I will go again if they reopen!

    If you're visiting Hawaii with a big group, 100% recommend taking them here…read more We initially were a party of 16, and showed up without a reservation at 6pm on a Saturday. The staff was super nice about it and was able to accommodate us, with only a small request that we be out by 8pm since there was another big party with a reservation coming in. Absolutely reasonable. They sat us right away at three large tables, which gave us plenty of space for food and didn't force us to sit super close together. Menus, waters, plates, napkins, and forks were all brought out immediately, and our waiter was quick to take our order. We started with the prix fixe menu for 8-10 guests and were going to add other items à la carte, but a handful of our group accidentally went to the other Side Street location (make sure your group is all on the same page), so what we ordered ended up being more than enough. We left stuffed and with 5 boxes of food still. Edamame was nice and steamy, and large enough to easily pop the beans out with your mouth. Wish there was a bit more salt though. The farmer's salad had everything going on from citrusy to salty to crispy. Avocado had a little bit of oxidation but the capers, dressing and potato curls provided plenty of reasons to overlook it. The fried rice came in a hefty portion, with sizable pieces of bacon and sausage. The chicken I didn't realize was boneless based on the shape of the deep fry, but it was nice to freely bite into it without worrying about hitting anything with my teeth. Probably a bit too much on fried bits but still good. Pork chops had a better meat to crisp ratio in my opinion, as well as juiciness. They even came with ketchup on the side, which I love as a pairing but don't see much of at restaurants. My favorite meat item was definitely the sizzling boneless kalbi. The presentation on the sizzling plate with a side of kimchi was spectacular, and the meat was full of flavor. We also ordered yakisoba, which wasn't part of the prix fixe. Tasted good but nothing past standard expectations. We let the waiter know we had a 30th birthday at the table, and they brought a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream with a candle, and did a decent job getting the whole room to participate in the singing. It could also be the type of crowd this place attracts, since it seemed that everyone was so friendly and approachable. Thanks to the quick and consistent service, we were out in a little over an hour with no complaints.

    Photos
    Our Chef Colin's Classics Menu feeds 3-4 guests for $105.00!
    Our Chef Colin's Classics Menu feeds 3-4 guests for $105.00!
    Oodles of Noodles! Try our Yakisoba! You can also add Kim Chee for extra flavor.
    Oodles of Noodles! Try our Yakisoba! You can also add Kim Chee for extra flavor.
    Popcorn Chicken & French Fries

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    Popcorn Chicken & French Fries
    Waiahole Poi Factory

    Waiahole Poi Factory

    4.5
    (1.6k reviews)
    14.2 mi
    $$

    A legit 5 star hole in the wall along the highway. Absolutely worth the stop…read more The food is authentic and flavorful. Try the beef lau lau. I was so pleasantly surprised by it. Although everything was so good. Service was insanely fast and super friendly. Lots of outdoor tables with umbrellas, the place was pretty busy but we were able to get seating and we got our food in seconds.

    I can't even count how many times we've driven by this place en route to the North Shore. Finally…read moredecided to stop by for lunch. While they do have a parking, I suggest just parking on the street and walking up to the place. Signs clearly direct you to which window you can order food from and another for food pickup/dessert only ordering. We opted for combo plate (kalua pork and chicken long rice) w/ a side of poi. Both the kalua pork and chicken long rice were tasty but wished we had ordered rice instead so that i could mop up the delicious fat from the kalua pork! Loved the haupia pudding but wished they would give you a bit more. For dessert we ordered the tahitian sweet lady which was delicious! Wasn't a fan of the salmon lomi as it was pretty fishy for me. As we waited for our food, we noticed a dessert chilling on the ledge and joked with my wife that it was likely ours. Sure enough after 10 mins, the ice cream guy asked the cashier whose it was and at that time was our number called. Sadly, the ice cream had already started to melt. Wished they wouldn't have prepared the dessert until after our food was ready. Would definitely head back for their plate lunches and to try the sweet lady of waiahole dessert.

    Photos
    Waiahole Poi Factory
    Amazing food. Ho'io salad is a must. Fresh poi is tops. You can't go wrong at Waiahole Poi Factory.
    Amazing food. Ho'io salad is a must. Fresh poi is tops. You can't go wrong at Waiahole Poi Factory.
    The Ohana at Waiahole Poi Factory with members of One Groove.

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    The Ohana at Waiahole Poi Factory with members of One Groove.
    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

    Da Ono Hawaiian Foods

    3.9
    (297 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    3.5 stars We wanted…read moreto try authentic Hawaiian food and came across this spot. The owner was very friendly and took the time to recommend dishes for us, including the laulau and lechon kawali. We also ordered the BBQ short ribs. Overall, it was a good experience trying Hawaiian food, but it's just not really our type of cuisine. The laulau was quite dry, and the preparation felt more like meat that had been boiled or cooked in liquid, which isn't something I usually enjoy. The lechon kawali had a crispy pork belly texture, topped with something similar to a salsa, but it didn't suit our taste either. Unfortunately, the cabbage served with it also had some black spots, which was off-putting. The BBQ short ribs were the highlight of the meal and the dish we enjoyed the most. We appreciate the experience and the hospitality, but the flavors just didn't quite match our personal preferences.

    Good local Hawaiian food restaurant. Street parking only. Small restaurant I believe it was Ono…read moreHawaii on Kapahulu before. Now it is named the Da Ono Hawaiian Foods. Either the owner or the manager seemed like a one man show. He was the server, bus boy, and chef. Husband got the pipikalua short ribs/he enjoyed. Sisters got the pork lau lau which came with sweet potato, rice or poi, lomi lomi salmon (more onion and tomato than salmon). i got the chicken lau lau, again stuffed with chicken, not enough taro leaves. Only six tables in the entire restaurant. The gentleman that was serving us I believe was also the bus boy, cook, server and cashier! Place is a hole in the wall with missing ceiling tiles and exposed panels above our table (gross!!). Sis loves this dive so we keep coming back!

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    Sam's Kitchen - foodstands - Updated August 2026

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